Multi directional abdominal exercise device

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a unique and improved device for the exercise and development of all the muscle groups comprising: the abdomen, lower back and hip flexors in the elongated and contracted positions while the user is in a seated position facing forward with the said users legs and feet interlocked therein the invention. The seat and joint assemblage corresponding with the frame work of the invention comprises a unique design allowing absolute multidirectional movement of the said user&#39;s upper body while the said user is advantageously and safely held with a belt assemblage thereto the multi directional seating assemblage. This provides the said user the means for a safe, concentrated and extremely effective form of exercises for the aforementioned muscle groups.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiment of the invention relates to exercise devices and more particularly to an exercise device for strengthening and toning all of the abdominal muscle groups, hip flexors and lower back while the user is in a seated position facing forward.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various type and form of abdominal and related muscles exercise equipment have long been known and widely used.

Typical designs of this type of equipment are respectably shown for example in the following United States of America patents: 4,372,553 Hatfield 5,201,694 Zappel 5,058,887 Patterson 6,186,926 B1 Ellis 6,491,611 B1 Stearns 6,494,819 B1 Boland 6,592,500 B1 McBride et al 6,602,171 B1 Tsen et al

Although such units have achieved popularity and commercial success there is a definite and continuing demand for viable and improved designs. Due to various problems in design considerations of this type of equipment. Such as and not limited to: lack of portability, narrow range of effectiveness, cost ineffectiveness and limited range of motion of the user.

There has been considerable difficulty encountered in the address of these and other considerations in both current and past designs of abdominal and related muscles exercise equipment.

The multi directional abdominal exercise device solves many of the shortcomings of past and present abdominal and related muscles exercise equipment by utilizing unique and effective design considerations therein the preferred embodiment of the invention that facilitate unique and absolute multi directional movement of a users upper body, further facilitating a safe and concentrated means of exercising the aforementioned muscle groups. Thereby addressing the need for a viable and improved abdominal and related muscles exercise device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general the preferred embodiment of the invention can be described as a novel exercise device for all of the abdominal muscles, lower back and hip flexors in the elongated and contracted state. The preferred embodiment of the invention allows complete and free multi directional movement of a user's upper body in a detachably affixed seated position therein the preferred embodiment of the invention. This is accomplished by a unique multi directional joint and seating assemblage detachably affixed thereto the frame work of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Multi-Directional Abdominal Exercise Device

The preferred embodiment of the invention allows safe and effective exercise of all the major muscles comprising the upper and lower abdomen, lower back, and hip flexors in the elongated and contracted positions. While in a seated position, wherein the users legs and feet are interlocked within protrusions, thereon the preferred embodiment of the invention while facing forward, allowing the user of the device seated upon and fastened to an advantageously designed, multi-directional seating assemblage, complete and free multi-directional movement of the said users upper body.

In the particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, it is therein illustrated the described usage of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The lower user support structure comprised of an advantageously formed square front facing section 1 comprised of a parallel front portion and two side portions oriented transversely at 90 degrees from the parallel front portion of the square front facing section 1. Orientated parallel to the front portion of the square front facing section 1 is a metal cross member 11 which is advantageously adjoined to each of the transverse orientated portions of the square front facing section 1.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1-3

Advantageously adjoined to each of the rear facing sections of the transverse orientated portions of the front facing section 1 are sections 6. Comprised of a length of standard dimension metal tubing, advantageously adjoined to each corresponding length of standard dimension metal tubing 6 is a threaded assembly therein enabling with a clock wise or counter clockwise rotation a corresponding smaller standard dimension sections of metal tubing 7 to be detachably affixed within sections 6 telescopically. Sections 7 are comprised of a length of standard dimension metal tubing advantageously adjoined thereto a shorter length of standard dimension tubing therein forming T shaped sections comprising sections 7.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2-5

Advantageously located thereon the middle of the parallel front portion of the square front facing section 1 is a length of standard dimension metal tubing 2 adjoined thereon the top of the parallel front portion of section 1. The length of standard dimension metal tubing 2 projects upwards at 90 degrees angle to the parallel front portion of the square front facing section 1. Located on the vertical section of standard dimension metal tubing 2, orientated parallel to the parallel front portion of the square front facing section 1 are the interlocking ankle and foot protrusions 3 comprised of two equal lengths of standard dimension round metal tubing advantageously adjoined to the vertical section of standard dimension metal tubing 2.

Advantageously form fitting to the outer circumference of the two equal lengths of standard dimension round metal tubing is polyurethane foam padding comprising protrusions 3.

The standard dimension metal tubing 2 continues projecting upwards to a point whereto it is advantageously formed to turn towards the rear of the front facing section 1 at a 90 degree angle to the vertical section of standard dimension metal tubing 2, orientated parallel to the transverse portions of the square front facing section 1. Advantageously adjoined thereon the top of the section of standard dimension metal tubing 2 which is orientated parallel to the transverse portions of the square front facing section 1, are the interlocking knee protrusions 4 comprised of a length of standard dimension round metal tubing advantageously adjoined to the standard dimension metal tubing 2 projecting vertically upwards at 90 degrees from the standard dimension metal tubing 2. Advantageously adjoined to the standard dimension round metal tubing projecting upwards is a corresponding length of standard dimension round metal tubing orientated identically to protrusions 3. Advantageously form fitting to the outer circumference of the length of standard dimension round metal tubing is polyurethane foam padding comprising protrusions 4.

The standard dimension metal tubing 2 continues towards the rear of the square front facing section 1. The standard dimension metal tubing 2 is then advantageously formed to project downwards at a 45 degree angle towards the metal cross member 11.

Whereon it is advantageously adjoined to a section of standard dimension round metal tubing 5 which is advantageously adjoined to the top and middle area of metal cross member 11. The adjoining section of standard dimension round metal tubing 5 projects upwards at a 90 degree angle to metal cross member 11. The section of standard dimension round metal tubing 5 continues upwards to a point where the end is advantageously terminated thereby leaving the end open to facilitate within the inside diameter of section 5 the fitting and free rotational movement of a corresponding smaller standard dimension section 17 of round metal tubing.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2, 7 and 6.

Advantageously adjoined to one end of the standard dimension round metal tubing 17 at a 90 degree angle forming a tee shaped section is a length of standard dimension square metal tubing 14. On the flat surface on the corresponding opposite side of the standard dimension square metal tubing 14 where to it is adjoined to the standard dimension round metal tubing 17 is a length of S.A.E. standard dimension threaded rod 13 with a correspondingly sized standard dimension S.A.E. threaded nut 12 on each end of the corresponding outer ends of the threaded rod 13. The flat contact area of each of the corresponding threaded nuts 12 are thereto advantageously adjoined to the corresponding flat contact area of the standard dimension square metal tubing 14.

Advantageously located thereon the S.A.E. standard dimension threaded rod 13 on the correspondingly opposite side of the flat contact area of the S.A.E. standard dimension threaded nuts 12 and the standard dimension square metal tubing 14 is a identical length and S.A.E. standard dimension threaded rod 21. This is advantageously adjoined at a 90 degree angle forming a+shape to the S.AE. standard dimension threaded rod 13. Thereto on each end of the S.A.E. standard dimension threaded rod 21 are correspondingly sized S.A.E. standard dimension threaded nuts 8. The flat contact area of the corresponding S.A.E. standard dimension threaded nuts 8 are advantageously adjoined to the corresponding flat contact area of a length of standard dimension square metal tubing 22 identical to the length of standard dimension square metal tubing 14. This comprises the multi-directional joint embodiment.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3-7

Advantageously adjoined to the opposite and corresponding flat area of the standard dimension square metal tubing 22 that is adjoined to the S.A.E. standard dimension. threaded nuts 8 is a length of standard thickness and width flat metal 16 orientated parallel to the standard dimension square metal tubing 22. Advantageously adjoined to the middle area of the standard thickness and width flat metal 16 at 90 degrees angle are two equal length sections of standard thickness and width flat metal 15 which are the same corresponding thickness and width as the standard thickness and width flat metal 16.

Advantageously attached to the corresponding flat sides of the standard thickness and width flat metal sections 16 and 15 is the corresponding flat side of a section of standard wood sheeting 18. Advantageously attached to the standard thickness and width flat metal 15 and the standard wood sheeting 18 is a standard nylon belt 19 with a locking and unlocking buckle attachment 20. Advantageously attached to the corresponding flat side of the standard wood sheeting 18 opposite the flat corresponding side of the standard wood sheeting thereto attached to the standard thickness and width flat metal sections 16 and 15 is a corresponding section of polyurethane foam padding of the same length and width as the corresponding section of standard wood sheeting 18. Thereto covering the section of polyurethane foam is a section of polyvinyl sheeting which is therein advantageously attached to the standard wood sheeting 18 to completely and advantageously cover the section of polyurethane foam therein comprising section 9. This forms an embodiment of a flat seating surface capable of multi-directional movement.

While the principles of the said invention have been made clear in the illustrative embodiments set forth above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that some modifications may be made to the structure, arrangement, proportion, elements, materials, and components used in the practise of the invention.

It can thus be appreciated that the objectives of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The foregoing specific embodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting.

IN THE DRAWINGS WHICH FORMS PART OF THIS SPECIFICATION

FIG. 1 is a semi diagrammatic view of the preferred embodiment illustrating it in use in its specified multi directional manner.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment with items 19 and 20 deleted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment with items 19 and 20 deleted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the preferred embodiment with item 19 and 20 deleted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the preferred embodiment with items 19 and 20 deleted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation view of the said multi directional joint referred to in the description of the preferred embodiment with some parts deleted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevation view of the said seat assembly and said multi directional joint assemblage referred to in the description of the preferred embodiment with some parts deleted for clarity of illustration. 

1. A device for exercising all the major muscles comprising: the abdomen, lower back and hip flexors in the elongated and contracted positions. That comprises: a) A rigid frame consisting of a front and rear section encompassing parallel and transverse orientated cross members affixed thereto the front and rear sections of the said rigid frame. b) A rigid section projecting upwards and rearwards from the front of the said rigid frame affixed thereto the said rigid frame. c) Advantageously affixed thereto the said rigid section: four protrusions advantageously arranged to facilitate the interlocking thereto the said protrusions the legs and feet of a user while the said user is in the seated position facing forward thereto the said front section of the said rigid frame. d) An upward projecting member affixed to the said rigid frame and affixed thereto the said rigid section. e) A section or sections detachably affixed to the said rear section of the said rigid frame facilitating forward and rearward adjustment of the said section or sections.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: The means of transferring the weight of the said user downwards and outwards in all directions selectively while the said user is in a seated position facing forward thereto the said front section of the said rigid frame.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: The means of interlocking and holding the legs of the said user thereto the said protrusions while the said user is in a seated position facing forward thereto the said front section of the said rigid frame.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the means of interlocking and holding the feet of the said user thereto the said protrusions while the said user is in a seated position facing forward thereto the said front section of the said rigid frame.
 5. A device for exercising all of the major muscles comprising: the abdomen, lower back and hip flexors in the elongated and contracted positions. That comprises: a) A fabricated joint assemblage advantageously facilitating multi directional movement thereof the said fabricated joint assemblage. b) A seating surface affixed thereto the said fabricated joint assemblage allowing multidirectional movement of the said seating surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: The means of using the said fabricated joint assemblage affixed to a corresponding surface allowing movement of the said corresponding surface in all directions.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: the said seating surface affixed thereto the said fabricated joint assemblage allowing the said user seated thereon the said seating surface multi directional movement.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: The use of the said fabricated joint assemblage for the purpose of exercising any or all parts of a user's body.
 9. A device for exercising all the major muscles comprising: the abdomen, lower back and hip flexors in the elongated and contracted positions. That comprises: a) The said seating surface and said multidirectional joint assemblage detachably and correspondingly affixed therein the said upward projecting member allowing the said seating surface and said multi directional joint assemblage rotational movement within the said upward projecting member. b) A fastening belt assemblage affixed to the said seating surface allowing the said user to be detachably affixed thereto the said seating surface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 0.9 further comprising: a means of detachably affixing the said seating surface to the said rigid section in a fixed position allowing no movement of the said seating surface or in a neutral position allowing multidirectional movement of the said seating surface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a removable pin and corresponding receptacle affixed to the said seating surface and said rigid section allowing the said user to be seated on the said surface in the said neutral or said fixed positions. 